Majorana Representation Research Articles

Sign-Problem-Free Fermionic Quantum Monte Carlo: Developments and Applications

Reliable simulations of correlated quantum systems, including high-temperature superconductors and frustrated magnets, are increasingly desired nowadays to further our understanding of essential features in such systems. Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) is a unique numerically exact and intrinsically unbiased method to simulate interacting quantum many-body systems. More importantly, when QMC simulations are free from the notorious fermion sign problem, they can reliably simulate interacting quantum models with large system size and low temperature to reveal low-energy physics such as spontaneously broken symmetries and universal quantum critical behaviors. Here, we concisely review recent progress made in developing new sign-problem-free QMC algorithms, including those employing Majorana representation and those utilizing hot-spot physics. We also discuss applications of these novel sign-problem-free QMC algorithms in simulations of various interesting quantum many-body models. Finally, we discuss possible future directions of designing sign-problem-free QMC methods.

Minimal 3-generated Majorana algebras

Majorana theory was introduced by A.A. Ivanov as the axiomatization of certain properties of the 2A-axes of the Griess algebra. Since its inception, Majorana theory has proved to be a remarkable tool with which to study objects related to the Griess algebra and the Monster simple group. We introduce the definition of a minimal 3-generated Majorana algebra and begin the first steps towards classifying such algebras.In particular, we give a complete classification of finite minimal 3-generated 6-transposition groups. We then use an algorithm developed in GAP by M. Pfeiffer and M. Whybrow, together with some additional computational tools, to give an almost complete description of all minimal 3-generated Majorana algebras arising from this list of groups.

Properties and application of SO(3) Majorana representation of spin: Equivalence with Jordan-Wigner transformation and exact Z2 gauge theories for spin models

We explore the properties of the SO(3) Majorana representation of spin. Based on its nonlocal nature, it is shown that there is an equivalence between the SO(3) Majorana representation and the Jordan-Wigner transformation in one and two dimensions. From the relation between the SO(3) Majorana representation and one-dimensional Jordan-Wigner transformation, we show that application of the SO(3) Majorana representation usually results in ${Z}_{2}$ gauge structure. Based on lattice Chern-Simons gauge theory, it is shown that the anticommuting link variables in the SO(3) Majorana representation make it equivalent to an operator form of compact ${\text{U(1)}}_{1}$ Chern-Simons Jordan-Wigner transformation in 2D. As examples of its application, we discuss two spin models, namely the quantum XY model on a honeycomb lattice and the ${90}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ compass model on a square lattice. It is shown that under the SO(3) Majorana representation both spin models can be exactly mapped into ${Z}_{2}$ gauge theory of spinons, with the standard form of ${Z}_{2}$ Gauss law constraint.

Excess equilibrium noise in a topological SNS junction between chiral Majorana liquids

We consider a Josephson contact mediated by 1D chiral modes on a surface of a 3D topological insulator with superimposed superconducting and magnetic layers. The system represents an interferometer in which 1D chiral Majorana modes on the boundaries of superconducting electrodes are linked by ballistic chiral Dirac channels. We investigate the noise of the Josephson current as a function of the dc phase bias and the Aharonov-Bohm flux. Starting from the scattering formalism, a Majorana representation of the Keldysh generating action for cumulants of the transmitted charge is found. At temperatures higher than the Thouless energy $E_{\rm Th}$, we obtain the usual Johnson-Nyquist noise, $4G_0 k_{\rm B}T$, characteristic for a single-channel wire with $G_0 \equiv e^2/(2\pi \hbar)$. At lower temperatures the behavior is much richer. In particular, the equilibrium noise is strongly enhanced to a temperature-independent value $\sim G_0 E_{\rm Th}$ if the Aharonov-Bohm and superconducting phases are both close to $2\pi n$, which are points of emergent degeneracy in the ground state of the junction. The equilibrium noise is related to the Josephson junction's impedance via the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. In a striking contrast to usual Josephson junctions (tunnel junctions between two $s$-wave superconductors), the real part of the impedance does not vanish, reflecting the gapless character of Majorana modes in the leads.

Maximal distant entanglement in Kitaev tube

We study the Kitaev model on a finite-size square lattice with periodic boundary conditions in one direction and open boundary conditions in the other. Based on the fact that the Majorana representation of Kitaev model is equivalent to a brick wall model under the condition t = Δ = μ, this system is shown to support perfect Majorana bound states which is in strong localization limit. By introducing edge-mode fermionic operator and pseudo-spin representation, we find that such edge modes are always associated with maximal entanglement between two edges of the tube, which is independent of the size of the system.

Dynamics of Majorana-based qubits operated with an array of tunable gates

We study the dynamics of Majorana zero modes that are shuttled via local tuning of the electrochemical potential in a superconducting wire. By performing time-dependent simulations of microscopic lattice models, we show that diabatic corrections associated with the moving Majorana modes are quantitatively captured by a simple Landau-Zener description. We further simulate a Rabi-oscillation protocol in a specific qubit design with four Majorana zero modes in a single wire and quantify constraints on the timescales for performing qubit operations in this setup. Our simulations utilize a Majorana representation of the system, which greatly simplifies simulations of superconductors at the mean-field level.

Revisiting the hybrid quantum Monte Carlo method for Hubbard and electron-phonon models

A unique feature of the hybrid quantum Monte Carlo (HQMC) method is the potential to simulate negative sign free lattice fermion models with subcubic scaling in system size. Here we will revisit the algorithm for various models. We will show that for the Hubbard model the HQMC suffers from ergodicity issues and unbounded forces in the effective action. Solutions to these issues can be found in terms of a complexification of the auxiliary fields. This implementation of the HQMC that does not attempt to regularize the fermionic matrix so as to circumvent the aforementioned singularities does not outperform single spin flip determinantal methods with cubic scaling. On the other hand we will argue that there is a set of models for which the HQMC is very efficient. This class is characterized by effective actions free of singularities. Using the Majorana representation, we show that models such as the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger Hamiltonian at half filling and on a bipartite lattice belong to this class. For this specific model sub-cubic scaling is achieved.

Ballistic Majorana nanowire devices.

Majorana modes are zero-energy excitations of a topological superconductor that exhibit non-Abelian statistics1-3. Following proposals for their detection in a semiconductor nanowire coupled to an s-wave superconductor4,5, several tunnelling experiments reported characteristic Majorana signatures6-11. Reducing disorder has been a prime challenge for these experiments because disorder can mimic the zero-energy signatures of Majoranas12-16, and renders the topological properties inaccessible17-20. Here, we show characteristic Majorana signatures in InSb nanowire devices exhibiting clear ballistic transport properties. Application of a magnetic field and spatial control of carrier density using local gates generates a zero bias peak that is rigid over a large region in the parameter space of chemical potential, Zeeman energy and tunnel barrier potential. The reduction of disorder allows us to resolve separate regions in the parameter space with and without a zero bias peak, indicating topologically distinct phases. These observations are consistent with the Majorana theory in a ballistic system 21 , and exclude the known alternative explanations that invoke disorder12-16 or a nonuniform chemical potential22,23.

Majorana algebras generated by a 2⁢A{2A} algebra and one further axis

Abstract We consider Majorana algebras generated by three Majorana axes a 0 {a_{0}} , a 1 {a_{1}} and a 2 {a_{2}} such that a 0 {a_{0}} and a 1 {a_{1}} generate a dihedral algebra of type 2 ⁢ A {2A} . We show that such an algebra must occur as a Majorana representation of one of 27 groups. These 27 groups coincide with the subgroups of the Monster that are generated by three 2 ⁢ A {2A} -involutions a, b and c such that ab is also a 2 ⁢ A {2A} -involution, which were classified by S. P. Norton in 1985. Our work relies on that of S. Decelle and consists of showing that certain groups do not admit Majorana representations.

Symmetric three-qubit-state invariants

For pure symmetric 3-qubit states there are only three algebraically independent entanglement measures; one choice is the pairwise concurrence $\mathcal C$, the 3-tangle $\tau$, and the Kempe invariant $\kappa$. Using a canonical form for symmetric $N$-qubit states derived from their Majorana representation, we derive the explicit achievable region of triples $(\mathcal C,\tau,\kappa)$.

Majorana Representation and Mean Field Approach for Interacting-Boson System☆☆Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 11405008, 11175044, and the Plan for Scientific and Technological Development of Jilin Province under Grant No. 20160520173JH

The Majorana representation, which represents a quantum state by stars on the Bloch sphere, provides us an intuitive tool to study the quantum evolution in high dimensional Hilbert space. In this work, we investigate the second quantized model and the mean-field model for the interacting-boson system in the Majorana representation. It is shown that the motions of states in the two models are same in the linear case. Furthermore, the contribution of the nonlinear interaction to the star motions in the second quantized model can be expressed by a single star part which is equal to the nonlinear part of the equation for the star in mean-field model under large boson number limit and an extra part caused by the correlation between stars. These differences and relations can not only be reflected by the population differences between the two boson modes in the two models, but also lie with the differences between the continuous changes of the second quantized evolution with the nonlinear interacting strength and the critical behavior of the mean-field evolution which related to the self-trapping effect. The reason of the difference between the two models is also discussed by an effective Hamiltonian.

Anticoherence measures for pure spin states

The set of pure spin states with vanishing spin expectation value can be regarded as the set of the less coherent pure spin states. This set can be divided into a finite number of nested subsets on the basis of higher order moments of the spin operators. This subdivision relies on the notion of anticoherent spin state to order $t$: A spin state is said to be anticoherent to order $t$ if the moment of order $k$ of the spin components along any directions are equal for $k= 1, 2,\ldots, t$. Most spin states are neither coherent nor anticoherent, but can be arbitrary close to one or the other. In order to quantify the degree of anticoherence of pure spin states, we introduce the notion of anticoherence measures. By relying on the mapping between spin-$j$ states and symmetric states of $2j$ spin-$1/2$ (Majorana representation), we present a systematic way of constructing anticoherence measures to any order. We briefly discuss their connection with measures of quantum coherence. Finally, we illustrate our measures on various spin states and use them to investigate the problem of the existence of anticoherent spin states with degenerated Majorana points.

Hierarchy of correlations for the Ising model in the Majorana representation

We study the quantum Ising model in D dimensions with the equation of motion technique, in combination with the Majorana representation for spins. The decoupling scheme used for the Green's functions is based on the hierarchy of correlations in position space. To lowest order this method reproduces the well known mean field phase diagram and critical exponents. When correlations between spins are included, we show how the appearance of thermal fluctuations and magnons strongly affect the physical properties. We demonstrate that in 1D and for B=0, thermal fluctuations completely destroy the ordered phase, and that near the quantum critical point, the quantum model displays different behavior than its classical counterpart. We discuss the connection with the Dyson's equation formalism and the explicit form of the self-energies.

Geometric description of modular and weak values in discrete quantum systems using the Majorana representation

We express modular and weak values of observables of three- and higher-level quantum systems in their polar form. The Majorana representation of N-level systems in terms of symmetric states of N − 1 qubits provides us with a description on the Bloch sphere. With this geometric approach, we find that modular and weak values of observables of N-level quantum systems can be factored in N − 1 contributions. Their modulus is determined by the product of N − 1 ratios involving projection probabilities between qubits, while their argument is deduced from a sum of N − 1 solid angles on the Bloch sphere. These theoretical results allow us to study the geometric origin of the quantum phase discontinuity around singularities of weak values in three-level systems. We also analyze the three-box paradox (Aharonov and Vaidman 1991 J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 24 2315–28) from the point of view of a bipartite quantum system. In the Majorana representation of this paradox, an observer comes to opposite conclusions about the entanglement state of the particles that were successfully pre- and postselected.

Charge- 4e superconductors: A Majorana quantum Monte Carlo study

Many features of charge-4e superconductors remain unknown because even the "mean-field Hamiltonian" describing them is an interacting model. Here we introduce an interacting model to describe a charge-4e superconductor (SC) deep in the superconducting phase, and explore its properties using quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations. The QMC is sign-problem-free, but only when a Majorana representation is employed. As a function of the chemical potential we observe two sharply-distinct behaviors: a "strong" quarteting phase in which charge-4e quartets are tightly bound (like molecules) so that charge-2e pairing does not occur even in the temperature $T \to 0$ limit, and a "weak" quarteting phase in which a further transition to a charge-2e superconducting phase occurs at a lower critical temperature. Analogous issues arise in a putative Z4 spin-liquid with a pseudo-Fermi surface and in characterizing charge-2e SCs with "odd frequency pairing" (or equivalently with a "composite order parameter") and metallic spin-nematics. Under certain circumstances, we also identified a stable T=0 charge-4e SC phase with gapless nodal quasiparticles. We further discuss possible relevance of our results to various experimental observations in 1/8-doped LBCO.

Coherent-State Approach for Majorana Representation**Supported by the National Fundamental Research Program of China under Grant No. 2013CBA01502, the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 11575027, 11475146, and 11405008, the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under Grant No. 2017FZA3005, and the Plan for Scientific and Technological Development of Jilin Province under Grant No. 20160520173JH

By representing a quantum state and its evolution with the Majorana stars on the Bloch sphere, the Majorana representation provides us an intuitive way to study a physical system with SU(2) symmetry. In this work, based on coherent states, we propose a method to establish the generalization of Majorana representation for a general symmetry. By choosing a generalized coherent state as a reference state, we give a more general Majorana representation for both finite and infinite systems and the corresponding star equations are given. Using this method, we study the squeezed vacuum states for three different symmetries, Heisenberg–Weyl, SU(2) and SU(1,1), and express the effect of squeezing parameter on the distribution of stars. Furthermore, we also study the dynamical evolution of stars for an initial coherent state driven by a nonlinear Hamiltonian, and find that at a special time point, the stars are distributed on two orthogonal large circles.

Interaction effects on the classification of crystalline topological insulators and superconductors

We classify interacting topological insulators and superconductors with order-two crystal symmetries (reflection and twofold rotation), focusing on the case where interactions reduce the noninteracting classification. We find that the free-fermion $\mathbb{Z}_2$ classifications are stable against quartic contact interactions, whereas the $\mathbb{Z}$ classifications reduce to $\mathbb{Z}_N$, where $N$ depends on the symmetry class and the dimension $d$. These results are derived using a quantum nonlinear $\sigma$ model (QNLSM) that describes the effects of the quartic interactions on the boundary modes of the crystalline topological phases. We use Clifford algebra extensions to derive the target spaces of these QNLSMs in a unified way. The reduction pattern of the free-fermion classification then follows from the presence or absence of topological terms in the QNLSMs, which is determined by the homotopy group of the target spaces. We show that this derivation can be performed using either a complex fermion or a real Majorana representation of the crystalline topological phases and demonstrate that these two representations give consistent results. To illustrate the breakdown of the noninteracting classification we present examples of crystalline topological insulators and superconductors in dimensions one, two, and three, whose surfaces modes are unstable against interactions. For the three-dimensional example, we show that the reduction pattern obtained by the QNLSM method agrees with the one inferred from the stability analysis of the boundary modes using bosonization.

The simulation of non-Abelian statistics of Majorana fermions in Ising chain with Z2 symmetry

In this paper, we numerically study the non-Abelian statistics of the zero-energy Majorana fermions at the end of Majorana chain and show its application to quantum computing by mapping it to a spin model with special symmetry. In particular, by using transverse-field Ising model with Z2 symmetry, we verify the nontrivial non-Abelian statistics of Majorana fermions. Numerical evidence and comparison in both Majorana representation and spin representation are presented. The degenerate ground states of a symmetry protected spin chain therefore provide a promising platform for topological quantum computation.

Classification of sign-problem-free relativistic fermions on the basis of the Majorana positivity

We classify the sign-problem-free relativistic fermion actions on the basis of the Majorana representation. In the Majorana representation, the sign-problem-free condition is given by the semi-positivity of a Pfaffian. We show that the known sign-problem-free actions of the Dirac fermions, which are usually understood from the semi-positivity of a determinant, e.g., the action of quantum chromodynamics with nonzero chiral chemical potential or nonzero isospin chemical potential, can also be understood from the semi-positivity of a Pfaffian. We also derive new classes of the sign-problem-free relativistic fermion actions with Majorana-type source terms.

Majorana representation for the nonlinear two-mode boson system

By presenting the quantum evolution with the trajectories of points on the Bloch sphere, the Majorana representation provides an intuitive way to study a high dimensional quantum evolution. In this work, we study the dynamical evolution of the nonlinear two-mode boson system both in the mean-field model by one point on the Bloch sphere and the second-quantized model by the Majorana points, respectively. It is shown that the evolution of the state in the mean-field model and the self-trapping effect can be perfectly characterized by the motion of the point, while the quantum evolution in the second-quantized model can be expressed by an elegant formula of the Majorana points. We find that the motions of states in the two models are the same in linear case. In the nonlinear case, the contribution of the boson interactions to the formula of Majorana points in the second quantized model can be decomposed into two parts:one is the single point part which equals to the nonlinear part of the equation in mean-field model under lager boson number limit; the other one is related to the correlations between the Majorana points which cannot be found in the equation of the point in mean-field model. This means that, the quantum fluctuation which is neglected in the mean-field model can be represented by these correlations. To illustrate our results and shed more light on these two different models, we discussed the quantum state evolution and corresponding self-trapping phenomenon with different boson numbers and boson interacting strength by using the fidelity between the states of the two models and the correlation between the Majoranapoints and the single points in the mean-field model. The result show that the dynamics evolution of the two models are quite different with small boson numbers, since the correlation between the Majorana stars cannot be neglected. However, the second-quantized evolution and the mean-field evolution still vary in both the fidelity population difference between the two boson modes and the fidelity of the states in the two models. The difference between the continuous changes of the second quantized evolution with the boson interacting strength and the critical behavior of the mean-field evolution which related to the self-trapping effect is also discussed. These results can help us to investigate how to include the quantum fluctuation into the mean-field model and find a method beyond the mean field approach.